IIO Investigation into Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash Concluded

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) investigation into the Dec. 27, 2012 critical injury and subsequent death of a man involving the RCMP has been concluded.

On Dec. 27, 2012, at approximately 1:35 p.m., an on-duty RCMP officer driving an unmarked police passenger van collided with a male driver at the intersection of Highway 10 and 184th Street in Surrey.

The officer was entering the intersection eastbound on Highway 10 on a green light. The male driver was westbound on Highway 10 and was preparing to turn left onto 184th Street. Distracted by an on-coming ambulance, the driver made a sudden turn left in front of the officer.

The male driver sustained a number of injuries including fractured ribs and lacerations to his lung. Although the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening at the time, over the following few days, the driver’s medical condition deteriorated and he did not survive.

The IIO asserted jurisdiction and conducted an investigation into the actions of the involved RCMP officer. Following this investigation, Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal concluded that there was no evidence that any police officer committed an offence related to this death. Mr. Rosenthal’s findings are outlined in a Public Report which can be downloaded at the link below. The IIO remains committed to its goals to conduct fair, unbiased, timely, thorough and competent investigations and to ensure transparency through public reporting.